Prof. Chinedum Peace Babalola, a prominent Nigerian Professor of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, recently shared her remarkable life journey on August 8, 2025 during a Mentorship Sit-Out organized by Living By Design Nation (LBD) as part of their Apprenticeship Month.
Speaking via Zoom, the former Chrisland University Vice-Chancellor recounted the struggles and triumphs that have shaped her career, emphasizing the pivotal role of mentorship in her success.
Born as the first of five children to Dr. and Mrs. Isaac Anyabuike, her father is a retired lecturer, Prof. Babalola described her mother as a disciplined woman who instilled a strong work ethic in her and her siblings. “My mother birthed five of us, and she flogged failure out of my body,” she recalled. “She made me solve mathematics problems and finish an entire exercise book every day. I was always among the first top 3 in any class.”
Being the eldest, she felt a significant amount of responsibility from a young age, as her mother aimed for her children to read the Bible fluently in both English and Igbo by primary two. Her mother, a teacher and headmistress, had zero tolerance for failure, setting high expectations that greatly influenced Prof. Babalola’s academic pursuits.
Her educational journey began at the Federal Government College in Enugu State, where she excelled academically. However, after her WAEC exams, she found herself dissatisfied with her grades in English, receiving a P7 in English and P8 in Oral English—a result that not only shattered her aspirations but also affected many others in her class. “A number of us failed, and the school protested to WAEC that that wasn't their result, but nothing tangible was done,” she stated.
While initially aiming to study architecture, her path eventually led her to take the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) examination for Pharmacy at the University of Ife, now known as Obafemi Awolowo University. “It was tough, but God honored my decision,” she remarked, adding that she received a scholarship that affirmed her dedication to education.
At Ife, she navigated significant challenges, including the loss of her Dean, which deeply shook her and propelled her to seek a closer relationship with God. “I was a good student involved in church and fellowship, but after the Dean's death, I questioned my own mortality and my standing with God. This led me to give my life to Christ and strengthened my faith,” Prof. Babalola revealed.
Despite the difficulties during her studies, including delays caused by strikes and rigorous coursework, she persevered and consistently ranked among the top ten students in her class. “Ife was tough, but it was also a place where I excelled.”
After completing her Master’s degree, Prof. Babalola faced significant delays in her career, with a ten-year gap before earning her PhD. “I had my PhD at 35 instead of 25, but each setback only strengthened my resolve,” she explained. At one point, I was working while all my siblings were also in university, and I was determined to help my parents. Her career took a transformative turn when she accepted a position as a Senior Lecturer at the University of Ibadan (UI) due to the turmoil from the Ife-Modakeke conflict.
She credited a pivotal mentor from UI, Prof. Falusi, for guiding her through challenging times, helping her develop her writing and research skills. “What I lost in Ife was restored; God placed me even higher than my lecturers,” she recounted. She also appreciated Prof. Olaniyi, who came to Ife twice to mentor and advise her on her career path.
Prof. Babalola made history as the first female Vice-Chancellor from the University of Ibadan, as well as being the first female professor in her faculty, Head of Department, and dean. She even declined a Vice-Chancellor position at Chrisland University initially due to her commitments as a minister's wife. “Despite my successes, I always prioritize my family and my faith,” she noted, emphasizing the importance of balancing professional ambitions with personal values.
As Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Babalola initially encountered challenges, starting with only 57 students enrolled at the university. However, through hard work and unwavering faith, she took it upon herself to actively promote and publicize the institution, collaborating with CEOAFRICA, an online media organization. Her efforts resulted in a significant increase, with student enrollment surpassing 1,000 before her departure from the position.
Although the ultimate goal was to reach 5,000 students, limitations such as insufficient hostel accommodations posed challenges. Prof. Babalola emphasized her philosophy: “It is better I try and fail than not trying at all,” a testament to her belief in perseverance and the pursuit of growth.
Now an influential mentor, Prof. Babalola has amassed over 50 mentees and continues to support women in her community through health missions and empowerment initiatives. “I encourage everyone to pursue excellence in their lives with diligence and faith in God,” she advised. “My name is Chinedum, and there is a 'Chi' in Chinedum, which means God lifts me.”
Even as a Vice-Chancellor, she demonstrated her commitment to personal development by retaking her WAEC exams to remedy her English. She shared that her first twelve years of marriage were challenging, but she learned not to allow her circumstances to dictate her success. “I hate failure, but if I fall, I rise again.”
In her closing remarks, she reiterated the importance of hard work, mentorship, and collaboration, stating, “What I lost in time, God restored in stature.” Prof. Babalola’s journey from struggle to solution illustrates the profound impact of determination, faith, and the power of mentorship in achieving one’s goals.
She expressed heartfelt gratitude to the conveners of LBD Nation, particularly Pastor and Pastor (Mrs) Chiefo and Chinwe Ejioforbiri, for their visionary work and support, stating, “This is a story of my life and how God turned a season of failure into success; he turned my delay around, and delay isn’t denial.”
